Sound reproducing or recording mechanism for phonographs



June 23,1925.

J. c. CLASEN SOUND RBPRODUCING OR RECORDING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS Original Filed Fe 18, 1921 Q. z a M C a M d Patented June 23, 1925.

1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. CLASEN, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CLASEN NATUREPHONE COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SOUND REPRODUCING OR RECORDING MECHANISM FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

Continuation of application Serial No.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN C. CLAsEN, a citizen of theUnited States, and residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented the new and useful Improvement in Sound Reproducing or Recording Mechanism for Phonographs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to phonographs,

and more particularly to the sound recording and reproducing mechanism thereof. This application 'is a continuation of application Serial Number 445,927, filed February 18, 1921, as to common sub ect matter.

As is well known a phonograph 1s a device for recording or reproduclng sounds. Great difficulty has been experienced in the past in reproducing sounds with exact ac curacy. In order to accomplish such a resalt, the vibrating parts of both'the recording and reproducing apparatus must be so designed and constructed that they will follow accurately all of the undulatlons by which such sound is rendered audible. As

the so-called wave-shape of the undulations corresponding to certain sounds, particularly those produced by the human voice, are very complex, it has been practically impossible to construct apparatus wh ch Wlll follow such complex vibrations with great accurac (lne of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to so improve the phonogra h mechanism that sounds may be recorde and reproduced with greater accuracy.

Further objects will appear from the detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the reproducing mechanism embodying this invention;

' Figure 2 is a section on line 22, Figure 1, showin the entrance element to the tone arm; an

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the same.

Referring to the accompanying draw ng 1 designates a base which is provided wlth a hub 2 which is formed to receive a tubular art 3 adapted for connection to a tone arm.

he parts 2 and 3 are secured together by a 445,927, filed February 18, 1921.

Serial No. 188,894.

This application filed August 1,

' socket to receive a needle or stylus 13 which is clamped therein by a screw 14. The

structure so far described may be the usual one employed in reproducers and a detail description thereof is, therefore, unnecessary.

The diaphragm 7 is, in accordance with this invention, constructed of horn since it is found that the recording or reproduction of the sound can be accomplished with much greater accuracy when made of that material than with the diaphragms at present in use, as it is found that such a diaphragm follows the sound vibrations with greatly improved accuracy without introducing any new vibrations or modifications of its own. This horn must, however, be prepared in a particular manner and in accordance with a particular process and must have certain characteristics. A detail description of the process will, therefore, be given.

In preparing the diaphragm it is found that a cattle horn gives the best results and the'central strata or core of the horn structure at that should be used. In accordance with this invention, therefore, the cattle horn is boiled in water and then is pressed flat. The outside surfaces are then shaved off, leaving the inside core. This core can then in turn be split into portions about onethirty-second of an inch in thickness. Out of this the diaphragms can be cut to-a suit able size. These diaphragms are then polished by any suitable abradin or olishing material and are then dippe in oiling mineral oil; they are then ironed either with flat irons or by passing through hot rolls. The effect of this dipping in oil, ironing and other treatment is not only to condense the material but also to harden and temper the diaphragm, giving it the desired homogeneous structure, resiliency and polished and ing 17 which is also constructed of horn formed to shape. This bushing may be cut from the tip ofthe horn and is polished and dipped in hot mineral oil to harden and temper the same as in the case of the diaphragms. This bushing projects into the part 3 connected with the tone, arm and forming the tone chamber and the project- 111g portion is reduced in diameter as shown at 18 and is provided with perforations t9 and with a cutaway 20.

Itis found that a reproducer constructed as described will atta in the objects of thisinvent-ion. Not only ill thediaphragm accurately record and reproduce the sound vibrations with greatly improved accuracy, but without introducing any new vibrations or modilications of its own. Accordingly all metallic sounds are avoided and it ispartic ularlv adapted for recording and reproducing high notes and peculiar notes, such as of string and wind inr'strun'ients. theentrance element 17 is to improvereproduction since it not only avoids external vibration but seems to direct the sound waves in such a manner as to secure not only accurate reproduction but also so as to avoid all metallic sounds. I

It is obvious that various changes may be made in details without departing from the spiritof thisinvention; it is, therefore, to be understood that thisinvcntiou is not to be limited to the specific details shown, and described. I

The action of Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In an amplifying reproducer of music, a diaphragm of tempered horn.

2. In an amplifying reproducer of music, a diaphragm of condensed horn.

3. In an amplifying reproducer. of music, a diaphragm formed of the core of a horn.

4. In an amplifying reproduoer of music, a diaphragm formed ofthe temperedcore of a horn,

5. In an amplifying reproducer of music, a diaphragm formed of the condensed core of a horn.

6. In an amplifying reproducer of music, a diaphragm of ironed horn.

T. In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, condensing the horn.

S. In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, ironing the horn.

9. In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, treating the horn with oil.

10. In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, treating the horn with oil, and ironing the treated horn.

11, In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the Step comprising, removing the outer surfaces of the horn, and polishing the core.

12. In the art of making diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, removing the outer surfaces of the horn, and rondensing the core.

13. In the art of niaking diaphragms of horn, the step comprising, removing the.

JOHN C. CLASEN, 

